Jack you won't dig this frame if you don't like soft players sticks. If you are enjoying the warrior, you should try and learn the racquet and see what your matchplay is like with it over the course of 3 months or so.

Its funny, the most power on serve I have generated is still with the Tfight 315. Just stupidly big time power for such a soft racquet.

But I am noticing that my flats are coming along rather nicely with the Tour G as well.

Its all about taking time with one racquet and learning what you like. The year with the Tec really helped me out in that regard. I finally got a SW range I can stick to and then after dropping down to 330 gram racquets, eased right back into the 12 ounce range where I seem to play much better.

the specs of the Tour Pro 100 certainly look good. The only red flag for me is the 58 stiffness. Is the racquet very flexy feeling? Does the flex take a lot of juice out of the ball? I usually struggle getting pace on my serve with flexy racquets. Between the thin beam and the low flex, that usually isn't a great fit for me.

Side note: still enjoying my Warrior Pro 100. The 65 flex is perfect for me...it's firm but not harsh. Lets me hit touch shots and go after it when needed.
Anyone else try this one?

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Hi Jack,

Not sure this stick will be your cup if tea if you don't prefer a softer more plush feel. I don't think it is a noodle and for me it has more than enough pop but it is fairly far removed from the firmer sticks that seem to dominate the tweener spec category. Closest stick I could compare to would be the Tfight 315 but with more pop. Quite a unique stick IMO.

need you to heal up real quick like! have you considered flying to germany for that procedure kobe got on his knee?

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Funny thing is I already had the thing Kobe had: platelet rich plasma therapy, in both my knee and shoulder in the past year. Not sure why he has to go to Germany for his procedures, but hey, I'd probably go to some bionic German doc if I could, too. That PRP helped my knee for sure but my shoulder was too far gone.

Funny thing is I already had the thing Kobe had: platelet rich plasma therapy, in both my knee and shoulder in the past year. Not sure why he has to go to Germany for his procedures, but hey, I'd probably go to some bionic German doc if I could, too. That PRP helped my knee for sure but my shoulder was too far gone.

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i'm sure there's a reason kobe's flying halfway around the world to get his treatment done. maybe not all PRP therapy is the equal.

Funny thing is I already had the thing Kobe had: platelet rich plasma therapy, in both my knee and shoulder in the past year. Not sure why he has to go to Germany for his procedures, but hey, I'd probably go to some bionic German doc if I could, too. That PRP helped my knee for sure but my shoulder was too far gone.

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My buddy got that done for his bicep/tennis elbow as well. He had the same problem as you; too little too late.

Jack you won't dig this frame if you don't like soft players sticks. If you are enjoying the warrior, you should try and learn the racquet and see what your matchplay is like with it over the course of 3 months or so.

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You're right and also what MF said confirms this won't appeal to me.

In the meantime I am fine with the Warrior Pro. It's very similar to the GSpeed MP and it fits me pretty well.
Surprisingly, it also has a tapered beam, like the Y AI's.

In trying so many racquets, I have figured out what works for me:
1) 11-11.3oz static
2) 320-330 sw
3) firm feel with decent power. No less than 65 rdc stiffness
4) good touch and feel for variety shots
5) around 3-4 pts HL balance

Not sure this stick will be your cup if tea if you don't prefer a softer more plush feel. I don't think it is a noodle and for me it has more than enough pop but it is fairly far removed from the firmer sticks that seem to dominate the tweener spec category. Closest stick I could compare to would be the Tfight 315 but with more pop. Quite a unique stick IMO.

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You are right.

But it does sound unique. Not many thin beam, low flex racquets with decent pop out there. The Ozone Tour was like that.

Hit with the melzer frame. Pretty awesome frame actually. Solid, great feel. Surprised how solid it is for the weight. Only thing I found negative about it is that the sweet spot is not large and off centre shots can lose some juice. Overall though impressive racquet.

Serge - good stuff. It sounds like the lead placement area for that stick is 2 and 10 according to dri352.

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Here's the thing though, stock it absolutely murdered the ball. It could be the best serving stick I've ever used. Didn't play a known enough quantity to really get a sense of the groundies, but when I connected, it had tons of juice.

In the Spirit of PP, my buddy who is sponsored through Yonex Finally got the Tour G 330 and 310 in today. I hope to maybe give the 330 a swing in the next week or so. He's hoping he likes it enough since the AI98 was not his jam.

PP (and others)...If you get the chance to do a little string testing, you should try out travlerjam's kevlar/ZX hybrid set-up. I got to take part in the recent playtest and used the opportunity to try out his recommendation and have been really impressed.

In trying so many racquets, I have figured out what works for me:
1) 11-11.3oz static
2) 320-330 sw
3) firm feel with decent power. No less than 65 rdc stiffness
4) good touch and feel for variety shots
5) around 3-4 pts HL balance[/QUOTE]

Not sure this stick will be your cup if tea if you don't prefer a softer more plush feel. I don't think it is a noodle and for me it has more than enough pop but it is fairly far removed from the firmer sticks that seem to dominate the tweener spec category. Closest stick I could compare to would be the Tfight 315 but with more pop. Quite a unique stick IMO.

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Nice.. quite interested given its comparable to the tec315. How are you getting along with it still?

Its kind of like a slightly firmer, less spin oriented tec315. Hits a flatter ball, but has great feel and similar pop. Sweet spot isnt generous but a very nice frame none the less. In the right hands (i.e. Melzer) the frame would shine

This racket hits way, way above it's class. Mega boom and spin in a very accessible package coupled with a super solid feel and a very arm friendly response. Oh, and killer, killer serves.

However, I do agree with one thing mentioned in the TW reviews, maneuverability isn't great with this thing. Now, it's not clunky or unwieldy, but it plays way more head heavy than its specs might suggest.

Full review:

Played stock, strung with NXT 16 mains and Babolat syngut crosses at 60#/58#.

I'll start with the most impressive part of this frame, the power. I played it completely stock, and I was not expecting so much pop out of the lighter of the Tour G brethren.

This stick, despite the weight, balance and and SW, plays like a much heavier players stick. And that's both a good and a bad thing. On the one hand, it's a very competent stick right out of the box, on the other, I can tell that there's not that much room for customization.

Is it as clunky as the TW reviews make it out to be, well, that's quite subjective, but it's not as whippy as expected, but on the plus side, that translates into a heavy ball.

Control is slightly above average out of the gate. It's not a scalpel like my 318 TEC, but despite being strung with a soft and powerful stringbed, I was more than able to gauge my shots and keep them in. I didn't really experience any flyers, and touch was pretty good considering it was my first outing.

Serves are the highlight to me. I don't know what it is, but I get so much pace and spin out of this stick that I get giddy just thinking about pounding a serve down the T, or sliding one out wide. Absolutely love it on serve.

Overall, I think this is a real winner you guys. It's just so good stock, that I can only really see myself tinkering with strings and tension at this point. Maybe I'd add some weight in the handle to get a more HL balance, but really, I have no burning desire to transmogrify it.

The Good

Power +++

Serves +++++

I felt like boom boom Becker out there, and I usually have to spin my serves in due to my bum shoulder.

Groundies +++

Forehand in particular was huge, my one hander is not quite there yet, but that's normal.

Spin ++

It's on tap, depth isn't an issue, and acute angles or defensive loopers are easy to pull off.

Feel +++

Fantastic. Very much muted and solid like an N 6.1, but softer on the arm.

Control ++

It's there, but I think I'll have to string tighter if I'm going to stay away from poly.

The Bad

Nothing really, maybe maneuverability could be slightly better, but moving the balance point 1-2 points towards the handle should remedy that.

The Ugly

The look on your opponents face after you ace him, or better yet, body serve him

Serge, great review. Nice to know if I ever need to go lighter, I can just buy that 310 frame and be ok.

So far, I am very happy with the 330, and playing well with it. even though the ai98 was lighter and had more power, I find that I play the same with the Tour G - no drop off there. More spin and power, plus my spin serves are nastier.

Im at the GadsPoint - hit it with the ai98, which was one of the best all around frames I have ever used. I simply needed feel more than anything else. Now that I have the feel I want, I am very very happy out there on the courts, and play just as well.

The feel is just so solid. Hard to explain, it's like it simultaneously absorbs all shock but then releases just enough energy to give you some phenomenal feedback, on either hard, or soft shots.

The 310 packs a wallop, but you know how under powered the TEC's are, especially the 18 X 20, so really, to me just about anything feels powerful. But still, I was crushing it, I can only imagine what the 330 does.

The 330 is a bazooka. Now and then I hit shots so loud that people actually look over, which is a rarity..lol. For example, if I am returning a serve that I can get all over, and I pull it off, it is like a shotgun blast. I love it.

I will probably pull out the Tec to compare, since the Tec has the same characteristics. They are pretty similar in many ways, but I find the yonex head shape just more forgiving.

Yes. Great frame for a baseliner/ Has great feel. I tried Cyclone and the feel is great but I need a bit more control. Will try Kieshbaum Pro Line X and maybe later 4g.But this Prince racket is great for spin hitters with sensitive arms. Contrary to TW review, its a very good serving stick. My arm loves it.

Aimr: I know. With that low weight and flex, it's a prime candidate as a return stick for me whenever I do make it back.

MD: love the Ti80 Lite pickup. Knew you'd love it. Rock and roll. Also: incredibly, Dwight (besides wunderkind Troy Daniels) was the Rockets' only dependable player throughout that series. Was actually impressed by him. Still don't really like him, but I hate him much less. More so, Lin is awful, Harden didn't show up until it was too late. What a series of games. These playoffs have been incredible as a whole.

Updates: new stick - yonex rd ti 80 lite...1g of lead at 3 and 9...could be an all time fave.

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I've been plotting to get one of these too. Then I compared the Tour 97 and Tour 89 hoops today:

Look at that, it's just like Fed K says, the hitting areas are identical above 3&9. I hit high in the hoop, I can play with this stick, right? But I've been trying to switch from mid to midplus for two years, what am I thinking? "Just get a Ti80," I tell myself, "that thing has a massive, forgiving hoop. Fed went to 98, how you can you go back down to 89, hacker fool?"

corners, like you, i hit high on the hoop and the rd ti80 lite is great for this because the upper hoop is stiff. i love softer racquets, but i can't deny that stiffer sticks such as the APD make defense easier due to the stiffer upper hoop.

the rd ti80 lite has the flex i love in the throat and a stiffer hoop. it's light enough to be use as a platform stick to customize. i honestly think it's the best yonex frame i've ever tried. i highly recommend it.

I've been plotting to get one of these too. Then I compared the Tour 97 and Tour 89 hoops today:

Look at that, it's just like Fed K says, the hitting areas are identical above 3&9. I hit high in the hoop, I can play with this stick, right? But I've been trying to switch from mid to midplus for two years, what am I thinking? "Just get a Ti80," I tell myself, "that thing has a massive, forgiving hoop. Fed went to 98, how you can you go back down to 89, hacker fool?"

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It isn't the hitting area that makes the 89 tough to play with, but the weight of it. But I'll bet if you come through the ball flatter, more smooth-easy, more of a Granville Swope type, the 89 would be perfect because that weight just pancakes the ball. If you swing more modern, more low-high with top in your swing, the weight of it is definitely felt. It's a ripper of a frame, though; serves just pure Karlovic gangsta.

I've been plotting to get one of these too. Then I compared the Tour 97 and Tour 89 hoops today:

Look at that, it's just like Fed K says, the hitting areas are identical above 3&9. I hit high in the hoop, I can play with this stick, right? But I've been trying to switch from mid to midplus for two years, what am I thinking? "Just get a Ti80," I tell myself, "that thing has a massive, forgiving hoop. Fed went to 98, how you can you go back down to 89, hacker fool?"

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A very interesting pic. The greatness of the 89 was not immediately apparent to me, it took me awhile to realize how incredible it is. Bomb serves and great feel at net. Best frame ever on the scramble and quick reaction. It is becoming a part of me.

It isn't the hitting area that makes the 89 tough to play with, but the weight of it. But I'll bet if you come through the ball flatter, more smooth-easy, more of a Granville Swope type, the 89 would be perfect because that weight just pancakes the ball. If you swing more modern, more low-high with top in your swing, the weight of it is definitely felt. It's a ripper of a frame, though; serves just pure Karlovic gangsta.

By the way, Corners, sent you an email.

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Hahahahaha, but the swingweight will be so very manageable once I cut half an inch off the handle!

A very interesting pic. The greatness of the 89 was not immediately apparent to me, it took me awhile to realize how incredible it is. Bomb serves and great feel at net. Best frame ever on the scramble and quick reaction. It is becoming a part of me.

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Oh, yes! But wait, aren't you simultaneously praising the V1? How can I trust one who's taking racketaholism to such peaks, valleys, peaks & valleys?

Yeah, this one looks interesting. I liked how many of the Prince frames of the past several years hit, but I couldn't feel the ball through the ports. TW review was favorable, but for the control score. But I'd imagine the right strings might fix that.

corners, like you, i hit high on the hoop and the rd ti80 lite is great for this because the upper hoop is stiff. i love softer racquets, but i can't deny that stiffer sticks such as the APD make defense easier due to the stiffer upper hoop.

the rd ti80 lite has the flex i love in the throat and a stiffer hoop. it's light enough to be use as a platform stick to customize. i honestly think it's the best yonex frame i've ever tried. i highly recommend it.

Goodness, Fedace! I believe you! But, tell me, how unforgiving is the 89 compared to something like the V1?

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The 89 is like a new pair of soccer cleats, there is a break in period before it becomes one with your body...the v1 is way more forgiving, the plush power steering touring sedan. But it has players racquet DNA underneath all the pillowy feel. It is very fun to play with.

np, corners! i'm LOVING this stick! Gads used the word "honest" to describe this stick. and he's absolutely right. i'm addicted to box beams and this is a box beam. to me, it's like a classic feeling Ai98. also produces more spin. it's a way more comfy and refined RDiS100 mp. it's really like an extension of your arm. hit w/ Hi I'm Ray this evening and i experimented moving the lead around. had 1g at 3 and 9 but i decided to try relocating 1/2g from 3 and 9 to 12 so now i'm at 1g 12, 0.5g at 3 and 9. this is even better.

if you don't like it, let me know. i'd likely buy it from you as i only have one so far assuming the grip size is L2 or L3.

Me: out of the sling and into active and very painful physical therapy. Still feel so far away from being able to swing a stick again, but the restrengthening phase hath begun.

Checking in for updates on the crew.

I hate Damian Lillard

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Tour 100 Update: still enjoying this stick. Hit it side by side with the Tfight 315 today and found myself not wanting to put it down. The low flex gives it a ton of feel and feedback but does not feel at all noodley. Decent amount of pop for such a light stick and one of the most spin friendly sticks I have ever hit with.

Downsides: trajectory and the low weight can make it a little harder to drive through the court the way I like. It needs some lead to keep it stable on slower swings otherwise it will tend to twist a fair amount. Response can be slightly erratic as well. Hit a fair amount of balls long that I wouldn't usually miss (although this may be due in part to me getting used to the stick and not so much a racquet issue). Also the open pattern is going to tear through strings a lot quicker than I am use to. Needs a 16g string or greater otherwise you will be restringing every 3-4hrs or less. I am going to try some thicker gauge strings and see if this solves this issue without hindering it's performance. I will update after some more court time. I highly recommend for anyone looking for a forgiving, spin friendly stick with a ton of feel and comfort.